Secrets of Successful Loach Fish Maintenance
Monday, May 20, 2019
Description: maintaining loaches fish in the aquarium requires perfect tank condition, ideal school size, and nonaggressive tank mates.
Loaches
are peaceful bottom-dwelling fish that make your tank more interesting. Maintaining loaches fish in the aquarium
is not easy, because they have thin scales and susceptible to diseases. You
need to maintain them properly to keep them pretty and healthy.
Requirements to Keep
Loaches Fish
Loach
species require slightly different variations in maintenance requirements.
However, the general rules are:
·
Warm temperature
Most loaches prefer temperature range from 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
(24 to 30 degrees Celsius). Some species prefer colder temperatures. Horseface
loach, for example, loves temperature range from 40 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (4
to 25 degrees Celsius).
·
Proper tank volume and pH
Loaches love low-running water, which mimics their natural habitat
(swampy water). Ideal pH is between 6.0 and 7.5, depending on the species. Your
tank must have at least 20 gallons of water. Some schooling species, such as
tiger loaches, require a larger tank to live happily.
·
Hiding spots
As bottom-dwellers, loaches prefer a lot of hiding spots. You can
prepare a log, water plant, and several ornaments that fish can use to hide.
Use the mix of fine gravel and soft sand for the bottom part, allowing loaches
to scavenge.
Make
sure to cover your filter pipes, so the fish don’t get suck in. Place proper
tank cover, because these fish can leap through the surface.
Tank Mates and School
Size
To
keep the loaches safe, choose small and nonaggressive tank mates. Tetras,
rainbowfish, barbs, and danios are ideal for most loaches. Make sure the tank
mates have similar sizes to the loaches. Some species, such as tiger loaches,
prefer to live with their own schools.
Ideally,
a loach school should consist of six fish. Otherwise, add three gallons of your
tank volume for each additional fish. When searching for companions, find
surface or mid-dwelling fish that will not cram the loaches. Avoid territorial
fish like arowana and cichlids.
Maintaining loaches fish in the
aquarium
requires extra efforts. However, you will be rewarded with healthy, beautiful,
peaceful-looking fish.
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